NEW Program - The Sunday Slow Jam

NEW Coastal Jazz Program - #SundaySlowJam
January 11, 2015
by: Dawn Pemberton
twitter:  @dawnpemberton

Sunday is often considered a day of rest, the Sabbath, a moment during the week to reflect on the all that has been done and created and an opportunity to prepare for the week ahead. I like to think that a slow jam, is a slow to mid-tempo type of tune, from any musical genre, that invokes deep thought, arouses the senses, creates intense emotional responses, inspires and helps to shift the mood when necessary.

Allow me to introduce the….Sunday Slow Jam. Consider this an invitation to check out some new music and revisit well known favourites, to take a break and encourage a little more space in your life. Check back each Sunday for my pick of the week!

This series kicks off with two great tracks (or a “2 fer” as I like to call it) by tenor saxophonist, Eddie Harris. With a discography that spans almost 40 years, Harris proved himself to be a seeker and shape shifter, an explorer and an innovator who approached his musical creativity with humour, lots of flavour and groove. Harris began as a hard bop player, but really branched out into soul, r&b, bossa nova and funk, as well as incorporating those sounds with his jazz sensibilities. He composed, created and modified his own instruments, was a band leader and a sideman and worked closely with notable players such as Cedar Walton, Ron Carter and Les McCann.

Check out his hauntingly soulful version of the ballad “Born to be blue”. From The In Sound (1965) feat. Cedar Walton (piano), Ron Carter (bass) and Billy Higgins (drums).

Now follow that up with one of Eddie’s funkier originals called “Carry on Brother”. From Live at Newport (1971) feat. Jodie Christian (piano, electric piano), Louis Spears (bass) and Robert Crowder (drums)

If you’re curious about Eddie Harris’ musical legacy, I would highly recommend that you check out the next Coastal Jazz show, “Eh! Seamus Blake Plays the music of Eddie Harris feat. Geoffrey Keezer”  on January 31st at the PAL Studio Theatre in Vancouver.

Seamus Blake - saxophones

André Lachance - bass

Jesse Cahill - drums

Geoffrey Keezer - piano and fender rhodes